linux-kernel - Re: [git patches] two warning fixes

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Date:	Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:38:46 +0200
From:	Krzysztof Halasa <khc@...waw.pl>
To:	Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...ux-foundation.org>
Cc:	Jeff Garzik <jeff@...zik.org>,
	Andrew Morton <akpm@...ux-foundation.org>,
	LKML <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>, ak@...e.de,
	adaplas@...il.com, linux-fbdev-devel@...ts.sourceforge.net,
	benh@...nel.crashing.org
Subject: Re: [git patches] two warning fixes

Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...ux-foundation.org> writes:

> So let's make a new rule:
>
>   We absolutely NEVER add things like "must_check" unless not checking 
>   causes a real and obvious SECURITY ISSUE.

Oh, come on, almost every kernel bug is a potential security issue.

IMHO, if the function can only fail due to a kernel bug, it should
return void and, in case of bug, explode with BUG_ON() or something
like that. Sure, must_check doesn't apply too well to void.

But, if I have functions which can fail for legitimate (not kernel
bug) reasons, and I know ignoring their return values would always
be a bug, then must_check seems an obvious best and simple defense
against that.
-- 
Krzysztof Halasa
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